Board of Trustee Committees

Academic Affairs Committee

The Academic Affairs Committee shall have general oversight of undergraduate and post-graduate academic programs. The Committee shall review recommendations and reports made by the Vice President of Academic Affairs on all matters pertaining to academic programs, including changes in academic programs recommended by the Faculty; changes in academic organization and policies recommended by the Faculty and/or the Vice President of Academic Affairs; changes in Volume IV Undergraduate Faculty Personnel Policies recommended by the Faculty and/or the Vice President of Academic Affairs; NEASC review; audits of Faculty and academic programs; and recommendations concerning Faculty promotions, sabbaticals, and emeritus status made by the Vice President of Academic Affairs and the President. Committee motions on academic programs and policies shall be forwarded to the Finance Committee, the Executive Committee, and/or the Board of Trustees as necessary.

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is composed of the Chair who shall be the chair of the Committee, the Vice Chair, the Secretary, the President, and at least five (5) other Trustees including, to the extent feasible, the chairs of the standing and special committees.

Between meetings of the Board, the Executive Committee has general oversight of the administration and property of the College and may take such actions as the Board could properly take on all matters, except that, unless specifically empowered by the Board to do so, it may not (i) take any action inconsistent with a prior act of the Board, (ii) award degrees, (iii) amend the charter of bylaws, (iv) authorize the construction of permanent buildings, (v) elect members of the Board, (vi) appoint or remove the Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary or President, nor (vii) take any action which the Board has expressly reserved to itself. The Executive Committee reviews the Bylaws on an annual basis and provides the Board with any recommended revisions thereto.

Finance and Investment Committee

The Finance and Investment Committee periodically reviews the general financial condition of the College and recommends guidelines and policies, which may provide sound management of the resources of the College. The Committee advises on matters dealing with financial long-range planning, budgeting, tuition, and fees; reviews annual operating and capital budgets prepared and presented under the direction of the President and makes recommendations to the Board; and reviews major financial transactions not provided for in the budget and submits proposed variances with recommendations to the Board as appropriate.

The Finance and Investment Committee, acting within the scope of investment policy guidelines established by the Board, has charge of the investment of all funds of the College, including the power to effect purchases, sales or exchanges of securities and other investment assets of the College. The Committee may employ investment counsel and may delegate authority to purchase or sell securities for the account of the College to such investment counsel or to any Officer of the College subject to such limitations as the Committee may impose. The Committee shall report changes in investments to the Board at each Board meeting.

The Finance and Investment Committee periodically appraises the financial control and accounting systems of the College and recommends any changes it deems appropriate. The Committee may request any designated independent auditor or any Officer or employee of the College to appear before it to report on the financial condition of the College and answer any questions the Committee might have. The Finance and Investment Committee reviews matters affecting the welfare of the administrative and supporting staff of the College, including salaries, pensions and other benefits, and personnel policies and practices.

Infrastructure Committee

The Infrastructure Committee has the responsibility to review the upcoming Capital Budget for planning purposes, and recommends to the Finance Committee approval on the specific projects. The Committee also reviews the progress of the annual capital improvements/repairs to the campus. The Infrastructure Committee provides strategic guidance on campus-wide initiatives relating to both facilities and information technology planning.

Trusteeship Committee

The Trusteeship Committee recommends to the Board nominees for the offices of Trustee, Trustee Emeritus, Chair, Vice Chair, and Secretary, in accordance with the provisions of Article XIII, and shall set forth in its recommendation the background and qualifications of each nominee. The Committee maintains an ongoing file of potential nominees for Trustees from which to draw in making its nominations for that office. The Committee also makes an assessment of the performance of each incumbent Trustee in the second year of his or her term, which the chair of the Committee shall furnish to the Chair of the Board at or before the winter meeting of the Board. It evaluates the performance of the Board as a group, in concert with the evaluation of the President. It provides education and orientation for new Trustees, including clearly defined expectations, performance and basic information about New England College and its environs. It also provides continuous education of Trustees concerning their role in the governance of the College.